IN FOCUS - Michael King, Tom Tango, Sean Manaea, Kodai Senga, 2026 WS Odds, Scott Boras Clients, Babe Ruth, Francisco Lindor

 

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 Padres Ace Michael King Declines Option, Hits Free Agency

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King, 30, declined his $13.5 million mutual option for 2026 after a 3.51 ERA in 28 starts during the 2025 season, entering free agency. Acquired from the New York Yankees in the 2023 Juan Soto trade, King posted a 2.95 ERA over 38 starts with San Diego, including a 2024 no-hitter. The Padres have until November 14 to offer a $23.25 million qualifying contract, while teams like the Yankees, Angels, Astros, Mets, and Blue Jays express interest in a projected four-year, $80-100 million deal.

 

Tom Tango       Tangotiger     @tangotiger

Let's ask our baserunning guru @dougglanville

This is where the 3B and the runner were at pitch release

- runner is 8.6 feet from the near-corner of the 3B bag

- fielder is 15.2 feet from the near-edge of the 3B bag

                

Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga should be depth starters for the 2026 Mets

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My opinion is that both Manaea and Senga should start the year in the bullpen, getting good results while preparing for moves back to the rotation once the inevitable injuries hit. My expectation is that at least one of them opens the season as a SP. If and when Senga operates as a starter, the Mets will need to figure out a six-man rotation. That’s a reasonable trade-off if Senga is pitching like he did in 2023 and pre-injury 2025. It’s at least problematic if he’s not pulling his weight, like in the second half of last season.

 

2026 World Series odds

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After the Yankees, things get a bit more jumbled. The Philadelphia Phillies

(+1200), Seattle Mariners (+1300), Houston Astros (+1400) and New York Mets (+1400) are all close. Only two of those teams made the playoffs, but the Mets continue to spend money so even after a disappointing 83-win season, it’s not hard to project the Mets will be better in 2026. Houston missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016, but it still gets some respect in the betting market for being a consistent contender.

 

3 Scott Boras clients who would never leave if it weren't for their agent

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OF Cody Bellinger, New York Yankees

Cody Bellinger was basically salary-dumped by the Chicago Cubs to create space for Kyle Tucker, a move that has aged in complicated fashion as Tucker's free agency looms large. One can't help but wonder if Chicago might have better odds of re-signing Bellinger, with a six-year, $182.7 million market value, per Spotrac. That feels far more palatable for a notoriously risk-averse Jed Hoyer compared to Tucker's whopping 10-year, $401.8 million market value.

But that's all besides the point. Bellinger spent this past season with the New York Yankees, where he turned back the clock and put together one of his best individual campaigns since leaving the Dodgers. Bellinger hit .272 with an .813 OPS and 125 OPS+, notching 29 home runs, 98 RBI and 13 stolen bases, all while supplying plus defense in left field.

Bellinger's injury history and age (30) complicate these upcoming negotiations, but he's such a strong fit on a Yankees team that can't really afford to lose his production in the outfield right now. New York wields significant spending power and there's not a more appealing market east of L.A., but still, the Yankees will face competitive bids from clubs like the Mets, Phillies and maybe even the Dodgers. The Yankees lost the Soto bidding war by a fraction, so don't expect Bellinger to weigh any loyalty or market appeal when making his decision under Boras' guidance.

 

Michael Baron                 @michaelgbaron

If you like to gamble on sports (which many do, including some players, clearly), then here are your odds for

 Vegas on the 2026 World Series.

Mets at 12:1…

 

Jim Koenigsberger            @Jimfrombaseball

Following the game Babe Ruth visited the Wells Motor Co. to see the window that he broke, then poked his head though the empty pane while pictures were taken before a large crowd.

Later Ruth was given the undamaged Chevy Coup that he hit.

"Times have changed" said Ruth, "Some years ago it would have been a serious offense for any of us to break a window with a baseball.

Now it brings a new Automobile."

Babe Ruth poses outside Wells Motor Co., across North Grand Boulevard from Sportsman's Park.

Customers that bought a car from the Wells Motor Company were give the option, with or without a 'Babe Ruth Steering Wheel'.

The second of Ruth's three home runs, Game 4, 1926 World Series went over the right-field pavilion, smashed into a front window of the dealership.

 

Dream NY Mets starting lineup for the 2026 season

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Batting first Francisco Lindor, SS

As sensible as it may be to try something else in the leadoff spot, the structure of this dream Mets lineup will have Francisco Lindor batting at the top once again. Coming off of his second 30/30 season in three seasons, Lindor’s balance of power and speed has been an effective asset at the top of the lineup. Statistically, it could make sense to have someone else there. The heart says something else.

Arguments to move Lindor out of the leadoff spot are only suitable if the team (Lindor specifically) is struggling or someone clearly better is a fit. The days of seeing anyone else hit here regularly seem to have passed by. They never tried to have Juan Soto bat leadoff. Brandon Nimmo has evolved into more of a middle of the order bat in recent seasons rather than a natural leadoff hitter with amazing OBP abilities.

In year 6 with the Mets, Lindor should once again have his name written at the top of the lineup card. The change, which amazingly didn’t even occur until close to midway through 2024, feels as permanent as it gets.